How to Prepare Your Child for Daycare

The first times can be overwhelming, including putting your child in daycare. Here are some tips from Childcarecenters.us on how to prepare your child for daycare.

Most infants, up to 7 months of age, adjust well to good child care. Older infants may get upset when left with strangers. They will need extra time and your support to get to know the caregiver and to understand that you will pick them up at the end of the day. Starting new child care is often harder on the parents than it is on the child.

Being prepared makes any new experience easier. You can help your child adjust to a new childcare arrangement. Try the following:

• Arrange a visit with in-home caregivers while you are at home or when you need child care for a short time.

• Visit the center or home with your child before beginning care. Show your child that you like and trust the caregiver.

• Check with the caregiver or center staff about the best time of the month or year for children to begin attending the program.

• Allow your child to carry a reminder of home-to-child care. A family photograph or small toy can be helpful.

• Talk with your child about child care and the caregiver.

• Read books about child care. (Check with your local library.)

When your child gets sick

Children sometimes get sick or are injured while in child care. Talk with your child's caregiver in advance so that you both know what to expect and are prepared. Make sure that your caregiver can always reach you. Confirm a plan for emergency care in advance.

Many times, mildly ill children are allowed to stay with their caregiver as long as they can participate in most of the activities and don't require more care than their caregiver can provide. If the child needs extra rest, there must be a place for her to rest and still be observed.

Sometimes children need medicine while they are at child care. Every state and program will have different rules about what is allowed. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines should be labeled with the child's name, dosage, and expiration date. The caregiver should have the parent's written permission to give the medicine, know how to give it safely, and properly record each dose. Depending on the regulations in your state, sometimes a doctor's note or instructions are required.

Planning for child care costs

Child care can be expensive, so families must budget ahead of time. While the cost may seem high, think about how little the caregiver is actually earning per hour for the responsibility of caring for your child. Be sure to budget for your backup care during those times when your child or caregiver is ill.

Prepare an Emergency Bag

Worst-case scenarios can happen. For example, if you have been told by the nanny in the daycare that there's a fire on the premise, you need to bring an emergency bag consisting of medicine, a first-aid kit, extra diapers, and other things that your child needs. This is especially important if your child is disabled and/or is a special needs child. Your child may require extra assistance in order to ease their anxiety, clean their face and body, or treat minor injuries.

Amanda Daycare is the first daycare ever in KIIC or Karawang International Industrial City, an industrial area located in Karawang, West Java, about 30 kilometers from Jakarta. If you are working in KIIC or are an employee of one of the companies in KIIC, and you need a daycare, please don’t hesitate to reach us. Please visit our contact page for further information.